"It was a call-loan," said Forbes in a shaken voice.
Luke's amazement conquered his reserve.
"What? And for two hundred and fifty thousand?"
"Yes. There was the competition. It was growing hot. The Business——"
"How did you ever arrange it?"
"I was surprised myself at the time to find it so easy, but I was too glad to get it to ask questions. Now, I wish I had. I believe the bank was influenced by some people that wanted to get us into trouble—want to form a ready-made clothing trust."
"It's incredible!" cried Luke. "Not one of the agents that I had look into your business for me mentioned this."
"I didn't know that, Huber." Forbes looked his appeal. "I ask you to believe me."
"All right. It was my own fault. I should have asked you more questions. What puzzles me is how this loan was concealed."
"It was at the request of the bank. They said it was so unusual that they didn't want it more widely known than was absolutely necessary, and I agreed because of the credit of the Business. Now I believe it was all a trap set by the men that want to form the trust."